I GOT 2018 FORD ESCAPE ABOUT 7 MONTHS AGO AND WHEN I BACK OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY AND PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE I GET A SCRUNCHING NOISE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE AND THE SEEM LIKE THE BRAKES ARE GRABBING
2018 Ford Escape
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2018 Ford Escape do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 996.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Escape years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
668 reports with mileage · 1,123 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Engine. Review the 1,145 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 342 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Power Train. Review the 269 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Service Brakes complaints
24 reportsThe contact owned a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated while her son was driving approximately 30 mph, he began to depress the brake pedal and also attempted to use the emergency brakes but failed to stop the vehicle and rear-ended another vehicle. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated the fro…
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The contact owned a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated while her son was driving approximately 30 mph, he began to depress the brake pedal and also attempted to use the emergency brakes but failed to stop the vehicle and rear-ended another vehicle. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated the front driver-side air bag did deploy. The driver did not sustain major injuries nor sought medical attention. The contact stated the other female driver did sustain unknown injuries and was taken to seek medical attention by an ambulance. A police report was filed. The vehicle was not drivable. The insurance company deemed the vehicle a total loss. The vehicle was towed to the insurance towing lot. The contact called the local dealer and made them aware of the failure. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 75,000.
Another driver ran stop sign and hit middle of car, mostly the left door behind drivers seat. The back and passager airbags released but the driver side airbag didn't fully release. I didn't know at the time that this was weird and was actually relieved it didn't. Since then, my son's dad drove my suv and told me that the front …
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Another driver ran stop sign and hit middle of car, mostly the left door behind drivers seat. The back and passager airbags released but the driver side airbag didn't fully release. I didn't know at the time that this was weird and was actually relieved it didn't. Since then, my son's dad drove my suv and told me that the front windshield may not have been bonded correctly, he has to put additional force on the breaks and the engine makes random noises whenever it does, it looses power and he has to put the pedal to the metal. He says since my suv only has 18,000 miles, it shouldn't be doing these things. It also burns through coolant. I don't know if any other fords have issues likes this too.
This 2018 Ford Escape Titanium has 32,000 miles on is experiencing chronic, substantive defects in the rear powertrain. Specifically, it is having its second replacement rear differential unit (RDU) installed. This means it will have worn out 3 RDU's in 32,000 miles. -Original RDU was replaced at ~23,000 miles and failed ~30…
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This 2018 Ford Escape Titanium has 32,000 miles on is experiencing chronic, substantive defects in the rear powertrain. Specifically, it is having its second replacement rear differential unit (RDU) installed. This means it will have worn out 3 RDU's in 32,000 miles. -Original RDU was replaced at ~23,000 miles and failed ~30,000 miles. Third RDU in vehicle's life is currently being installed. Additionally, this vehicle has already had its Power Transfer Unit (PTU) replaced at 22,000 miles and is now on its third set of rear brake rotors. My contention is that there are serious, substantive defects in the vehicles rear powertrain causing premature wearing of the brakes and potential for serious accidents related to the loss of rear differential control and brake damage.
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH, she heard an abnormal noise while depressing the brake pedal. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated for a short period of time. The contact was able to continue driving to her destination at a slow speed. …
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The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH, she heard an abnormal noise while depressing the brake pedal. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated for a short period of time. The contact was able to continue driving to her destination at a slow speed. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the transmission to be rebuilt. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The contact then received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V413000 (Power Train). The failure mileage was 79,334.
Car with 32000 miles has brakes and rotors worn out and need replacing the same week that long block needs replacing. Is this low quality materials? Confirmed by dealer.
3 different times when I put on the brakes, they just went all the way to the floor without stopping. This happened in a parking lot, exiting my driveway and going down a hill. All 3 times I had just started the car & was only going 5 miles per hour. These incidents occurred randomly, not on the same week.
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated while approaching an intersection and attempting to depress the brake pedal, the brake pedal extended to the floor and failed to stop in a reasonable amount of time. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact also stated that there was an abnormal sound while the v…
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The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated while approaching an intersection and attempting to depress the brake pedal, the brake pedal extended to the floor and failed to stop in a reasonable amount of time. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact also stated that there was an abnormal sound while the vehicle was idling back to her residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 19,000.
I PUT IN A COMPLAINT #11414950 AND HAVE NOT RECEIVED A RESPONSE. PLEASE UPDATE ME.
I HAVE A 2018 FORD ESCAPE WITH 13,967 MILES .BROUGHT IT IN FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND WAS TOLD MY REAR BRAKES AND ROTORS WERE TOTALLY BAD.HAD IT SERVICED LAST YEAR AND ONLY TRAVELED 7,000 MILES.I WANT TO KNOW IF THERE HAS BEEN A PROBLEM REPORTED ABOUT THESE REAR BRAKES.AS EVERY MECHANIC I'VE TALKED TO CAN'T BELIEVE THIS COULD HAPPEN.…
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I HAVE A 2018 FORD ESCAPE WITH 13,967 MILES .BROUGHT IT IN FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND WAS TOLD MY REAR BRAKES AND ROTORS WERE TOTALLY BAD.HAD IT SERVICED LAST YEAR AND ONLY TRAVELED 7,000 MILES.I WANT TO KNOW IF THERE HAS BEEN A PROBLEM REPORTED ABOUT THESE REAR BRAKES.AS EVERY MECHANIC I'VE TALKED TO CAN'T BELIEVE THIS COULD HAPPEN. I TALKED TO THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION AND HE SAID TO ASK IF THIS HAS BEEN REPORTED TO YOU.
Official recalls
426V011000 · Equipment:electrical:engine Block Heater
Jan 15, 2026
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2018 Focus, 2013-2019 Escape, and 2015-2016 MKC vehicles equipped with a 2.0L engine. The engine block heater may crack and develop a coolant leak, causing it to short circuit when the block heater is plugged in.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to plug in their block heater until the vehicle is remedied. Dealers will replace the block heater, free of charge. Owners will also have a alternative option to replace engine block heater element with a threaded plug, and remove the block heater electrical cord. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed March 6, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S01. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on January 16, 2026.
22V413000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission:gear Position Indication (prndl); Power Train:shift Linkage/cable/rod
Jun 10, 2022
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2019 Escape, 2013-2018 C-Max, 2013-2016 Fusion, 2013-2021 Transit Connect, and 2015-2018 Edge vehicles. The bushing that attaches the shifter cable to the transmission may degrade or detach.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A damaged or missing bushing may prevent the vehicle from shifting into the intended gear, and cause the vehicle to move in an unexpected direction. Additionally, the vehicle may roll after the driver selects the 'Park' position. Either scenario increases the risk of a crash or injury.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the under hood shift bushing and add a protective cap over the shift cable bushing, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters, informing owners of the safety risk, were mailed July 1, 2022. Remedy parts are expected to be available in 4th Quarter 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed October 27, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S43.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Power Train:shift Linkage/cable/rod
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2019 Escape, 2013-2018 C-Max, 2013-2016 Fusion, 2013-2021 Transit Connect, and 2015-2018 Edge vehicles. The bushing that attaches the shifter cable to the transmission may degrade or detach.
Consequence: A damaged or missing bushing may prevent the vehicle from shifting into the intended gear, and cause the vehicle to move in an unexpected direction. Additionally, the vehicle may roll after the driver selects the 'Park' position. Either scenario increases the risk of a crash or injury.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the under hood shift bushing and add a protective cap over the shift cable bushing, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters, informing owners of the safety risk, were mailed July 1, 2022. Remedy parts are expected to be available in 4th Quarter 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed October 27, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S43.
Power Train:automatic Transmission:gear Position Indication (prndl)
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2019 Escape, 2013-2018 C-Max, 2013-2016 Fusion, 2013-2021 Transit Connect, and 2015-2018 Edge vehicles. The bushing that attaches the shifter cable to the transmission may degrade or detach.
Consequence: A damaged or missing bushing may prevent the vehicle from shifting into the intended gear, and cause the vehicle to move in an unexpected direction. Additionally, the vehicle may roll after the driver selects the 'Park' position. Either scenario increases the risk of a crash or injury.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the under hood shift bushing and add a protective cap over the shift cable bushing, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters, informing owners of the safety risk, were mailed July 1, 2022. Remedy parts are expected to be available in 4th Quarter 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed October 27, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S43.
18V104000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
Feb 12, 2018
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018 Ford Escape and Lincoln MKC vehicles. These vehicles may be equipped with incorrect front brake hoses that may chafe against other components, possibly resulting in a brake fluid leak.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A brake fluid leak may lengthen the distance needed to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the brake hoses, replacing any that are incorrect, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin March 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 18S04.
17V803000 · Air Bags:side/window
Dec 18, 2017
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018 Ford Escape vehicles. The side curtain air bags on these vehicles have a component that may detach during deployment of the inflatable curtain air bag.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the component detaches during deployment, it may enter the passenger compartment and be a projectile within the vehicle cabin, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver and passenger side curtain air bags, as necessary, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin January 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 17S44.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
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